Day five at the ATP Miami Open features eight third-round matches. The weather looks to once again be perfect in the Sunshine State as players look to cement themselves into the final 16 in Miami. We at LWOT will be previewing every match, including Nick Kyrgios vs Fabio Fognini. But who will advance?
ATP Miami Day 5 Predictions
Casper Ruud vs Alexander Bublik
Head-to-head: Ruud 1-0 Bublik
Casper Ruud and Alexander Bublik squared off earlier this month in Davis Cup Qualifiers. Bublik bested Ruud 6-4 5-7 6-4 in a very entertaining two-hour match. When he is in form, Alexander Bublik is one of the most fun players on tour. Ruud has been dealing with various small injuries so far in 2022, but finally looks to be in top shape after ousting Henri Laaksonen 6-1, 6-2 in Round 2. This matchup should live up to its billing with two top-35 players in the world squaring off. The Norwegian who is looking to jumpstart his season here in Miami is the favourite on paper, just about, and that should be reflected in the scoreline.
Prediction: Ruud in 3
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Hugo Gaston vs Cameron Norrie
Head-to-head: first meeting
Hugo Gaston is coming off of an impressive 7-6, 6-4 victory over John Isner. The 21-year-old Frenchman has a ton of fight and does not back down from anybody. Cameron Norrie also won his second-round match 7-6 6-4 against his countryman Jack Draper. These two lefties are going to produce many 10+ shot rallies. Neither one will budge as they both look to wear each other down. This match may well turn into a three-hour plus marathon, but the more experienced and in form Norrie should be the man to advance. The Briton has, after all, won 12 of his last 14 matches.
Prediction: Norrie in 3
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Thanasi Kokkinakis vs Denis Kudla
Head-to-head: Kudla 2-0 Kokkinakis
Thanasi Kokkinakis has made his mark on the ATP tour this season playing doubles with Nick Kyrgios, but he is looking to translate that success to his singles game. Both Kokkinakis and Kudla worked their way through qualifying and two main draw matches to find their way to the third round. The American has played in four, three-set matches this week having already spent 10+ hours on court. Kudla is also coming off of the Phoenix Open Challenger title last week. Making it to the final 16 in a Masters 1000 event would be huge for both of these guys. If Kokkinakis can continue to serve as well as he has been so far at the ATP Miami Open, give him the slight edge.
Prediction: Kokkinakis in 3
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Mackenzie McDonald vs Alexander Zverev
Head-to-head: Zverev 2-0 McDonald
Alexander Zverev looks to put his heinous actions of Acapulco behind him and hoist the Miami Open trophy for the first time. In his way is stingy American Mackenzie McDonald. McDonald is coming off of a very impressive 6-1 6-4 second-round victory over Grigor Dimitrov. Zverev needed three-sets to best Borna Coric in his second-round match, who was playing just his second match in a calendar year. These two met earlier this year in Montpelier with the German winning 6-2 7-6. Zverev should once again have the beating McDonald in two sets as he looks to make his play the only thing the media talks about.
Prediction: Zverev in 2
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